Computer system with peripheral device carrier

ABSTRACT

A peripheral device carrier including a rotatable lever that can be selectively engaged by a clip coupled to the carrier advantageously provides for one-handed insertion and extraction of the carrier by a user while still allowing for peripheral device bay optimization. Such a carrier can accommodate a variety of different types of peripheral devices. Additionally, because the rotatable lever of the carrier is widened to allow easy one-handed operation, the lever includes a more robust engagement portion, thereby providing smoother insertion and extraction of the carrier, as well as more secure engagement with the peripheral device bay.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application relates to the co-pending U.S. patent application Ser.No. 09/014,354, entitled "Peripheral Device Mounting Apparatus," by TyR. Schmitt, filed the same day as the present application, andincorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to computer equipment enclosures, and moreparticularly to peripheral device carriers for installation intoperipheral device bays.

2. Description of the Related Art

Many computer systems, including personal computers, workstations,servers, and embedded systems are designed to have multiple peripheraldevices included in the system. A typical personal computer systemincludes a processor, associated memory and control logic and a numberof peripheral devices that provide input and output (I/O) for thesystem. Such peripheral devices include, for example, compact diskread-only memory (CD-ROM) drives, hard disk drives, floppy disk drives,and other mass storage devices such as tape drives, compact diskrecordable (CD-R) drives or digital video/versatile disk (DVD) drives.Additionally, computer systems often have the capability to interfacewith external enclosures that include additional peripheral devices.

In many computer systems, it is desirable to include the maximum numberof peripheral devices, e.g. hard drives, that can be enclosed in thechassis of the computer system. Similarly, if an external enclosure isused for hard drives, it is also desirable to design the enclosure tooptimize space for the hard drives. One type of computer system where itis particularly desirable to optimize hard drive space is the networkserver. A network server is a focal point for processing and storage ina network, as the network server is responsible for distribution ofapplication programs and data to client computer systems. Because ofresource demands, network servers typically have several hard diskdrives contained in a peripheral bay and providing nonvolatile storagefor the application programs and data.

Additionally, multiple disk drives can be configured to cooperateadvantageously using technology generally known as redundant array ofinexpensive disks (RAID). RAID systems are particularly useful in theenvironment of network servers because they provide data redundancy,such that if a single disk drive fails, the data stored thereon can bereconstructed from the data stored on the remaining disks. In the mostsophisticated network servers and RAID systems, a failed disk drive canbe replaced and the data thereon restored by software withoutinterrupting the server's operation. In so-called "hot plugging," thefailed disk drive is removed and a new one installed in its placewithout cutting off the power to the drive or server, and withoutrebooting the server. A disk drive with this capability is oftenreferred to as "hot-pluggable." One consequence of using hot-pluggablehard drives is that additional mounting hardware is required in aperipheral bay so that individual drives may be easily inserted andremoved. Moreover, for convenient insertion and extraction of harddrives, a peripheral device carrier is often used.

While designers of peripheral bays, computer system chassis, andexternal peripheral enclosures often seek to accommodate as many of aparticular type of device as possible, they also desire the flexibilityof accommodating a variety of different types of devices. For example,hard drives come in a variety of heights including one inch and 1.6inches. A designer of a peripheral bay might choose to include mountingfeatures so that a maximum number of one inch hard drives can beaccommodated, for example five one inch hard drives. However, if thatsame drive bay is used for 1.6 inch hard drives, no more than two suchdrives can be accommodated using the same mounting features, therebywasting space and failing to optimize the drive bay. While optimal useof drive bay space is a design concern, ease of use is also a designconcern, particularly for peripheral device mounting systems designed tobe used with a variety of different types of peripheral devices.Consequently, designers also seek drive carriers that are easy to use,yet compatible with the goal of drive bay optimization.

Existing peripheral device carriers designed for use in bays where spaceis a premium utilize two latches to secure the carrier into the bay.Consequently, both inserting and extracting the carrier is a two-handedoperation, that is each latch must be independently closed or opened,thereby requiring the use of two hands (if the latches are to be openedsimultaneously) or the use of one hand in two separate operations.

Accordingly, it is desirable to have a peripheral device carrier thatminimizes the effort required by a user to insert or extract thecarrier, particularly in a peripheral device bay for a computer systemchassis or external enclosure that will accommodate the maximum numberof devices for each of a variety of different types, including sizes, ofperipheral devices.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It has been discovered that a peripheral device carrier including arotatable lever that can be selectively engaged by a clip coupled to thecarrier advantageously provides for one-handed insertion and extractionof the carrier by a user while still allowing for peripheral device bayoptimization. Such a carrier can accommodate a variety of differenttypes of peripheral devices. Additionally, because the rotatable leverof the carrier is widened to allow easy one-handed operation, the leverincludes a more robust engagement portion, thereby providing smootherinsertion and extraction of the carrier, as well as more secureengagement with the peripheral device bay.

Accordingly, one aspect of the present invention provides a peripheraldevice carrier including a base, a lever rotatable with respect to thebase, and a clip coupled to the base. The lever includes a first end anda second end. The lever also includes grip facilitating movement of thelever by the user. The grip has a recess sized to accommodate a fingerof a user. The lever further includes a deflectable locking tab locatedat the first end and an engagement portion located at the second end.The clip is capable of receiving the locking tab of the lever in aclosed position.

In another aspect of the invention, a computer system includes aprocessor, a memory coupled to the processor, a chassis supporting theprocessor, and a peripheral device carrier coupled to the chassis. The aperipheral device carrier includes a base, a lever rotatable withrespect to the base, and a clip coupled to the base. The lever includesa first end and a second end. The lever also includes grip facilitatingmovement of the lever by the user. The grip has a recess sized toaccommodate a finger of a user. The lever further includes a deflectablelocking tab located at the first end and an engagement portion locatedat the second end. The clip is capable of receiving the locking tab ofthe lever in a closed position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention may be better understood, and its numerousobjects, features, and advantages made apparent to those skilled in theart by referencing the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a peripheral device bay.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a peripheral device carrier including aone inch hard drive.

FIGS. 3A and 3B are perspective views of another peripheral devicecarrier.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a keying mechanism

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an assembled computer system includingthe device bay, the carrier and the keying mechanism of FIGS. 1, 2, and4, respectively.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 shows a peripheral device bay 100 designed to contain hard diskdrives retained by peripheral device carriers. Bay 100 generally has abox-shaped construction with a front opening allowing the insertion andextraction of peripheral devices. First interior side surface 102 andopposing second interior side surface 104 each have a plurality ofcarrier guides, for example carrier guides 120, 122, 124 and 126. Eachcarrier guide on the first interior side surface 102 is parallel to anddirectly opposite from another carrier guide on the second interior sidesurface 104. This positioning of carrier guides as well as the use offour carrier guides for each carrier inserted (i.e. two guides fromsurface 102 and two from surface 104) facilitates both theinsertion/extraction of peripheral device carriers and secure retentionof the carriers. However, bay 100 need not have four guides for eachcarrier. For example, carrier guide 120 and either one of carrier guides124 and 126 are sufficient to allow insertion/extraction of a peripheraldevice carrier. Alternatively, carrier guide 120 can extend further intobay 100, thereby obviating the need for carrier guide 122. Moreover,surfaces 102 and 104 need not be parallel as shown, as long as thecarrier guides used in the bay continue to accommodate peripheral devicecarriers.

Carrier guides 120, 130, and 140 are located across first interior sidesurface 102 so as to accommodate a variety of different types ofperipheral devices and still provide for optimal use of device bayspace. For example, carrier guide 120 (as well as associated carrierguides 122, 124 and 126) is located to receive a peripheral devicecarrier that retains either a one inch or a 1.6 in hard drive. When aone inch hard drive retained by a carrier is inserted into carrierguides 120, 122, 124 and 126, carrier guide 130 is left unobstructed sothat it can receive another one inch drive retained by a carrier. Thus,carrier guides 120 and 130 (as well as other carrier guides in bay 100)are located a particular distance from each other so that the bay isoptimized to contain the maximum number of one inch hard drives that bayvolume will allow. When a 1.6 inch hard drive retained by a carrier isinserted into carrier guides 120, 122, 124 and 126, carrier guide 130and/or other guides associated with carrier guide 130 are obstructed bythe carrier and cannot be used. However, carrier guide 140 is locatedfar enough from carrier guide 120 to allow another carrier retaining a1.6 inch hard drive to be inserted into the bay, thereby optimizing thebay volume for 1.6 inch hard drives. Thus, some carrier guides (e.g.guide 120) will accommodate several types of peripheral devices, whileother carrier guides (e.g. guides 130 and 140) are designed to receiveonly one type of peripheral device. Nevertheless, the use of a varietyof different carrier guides in the same bay permits the bay space tocontain the maximum number of either type of peripheral device.

Carrier guides can be constructed in a variety of different ways,depending in part on the construction of the carriers used with the bay.For example, carrier guides 120, 130, and 140, are channels integrallyformed from interior side surface 102 of bay 100. Each guide has a frontportion 134 that is wider than the majority of the guide, therebyfacilitating insertion of a carrier. Each guide also includes aninterior portion 138 easing carrier insertion/extraction and providingsupport for the inserted carriers. Consequently, the carrier guidesshown in FIG. 1 have a substantially U-shaped cross section. Those ofordinary skill in the art will readily recognize that a variety ofdifferent carrier guide designs can be used including rails, grovesformed by pairs of rails or lances, slots, and the like.

Peripheral device bay 100 includes a variety of mounting featuresincluding mounting brackets 110, mounting lug 115, and tabs 150.Mounting brackets 110 allow bay 100 to be fastened to a chassis orhousing, such as chassis 510 of FIG. 5. Alternatively, the drive bay canbe an integral feature of a chassis, thereby obviating the need formounting brackets 110. Tabs 150 and mounting lug 115 serve as mountingfeatures for a printed circuit board (not shown) interfacing peripheraldevices to other devices such as power supplies or a processor of acomputer system. Bay 100 is preferably constructed from sheet metal, butmay be formed from any other suitable material such as plastic.

FIG. 2 illustrates a peripheral device carrier 200 for retainingperipheral devices (e.g. one inch high hard drive 260) for installationinto peripheral device bay 100. The carrier includes a base 210,peripheral device mounting features 220, lever 230, and clip 240. Base210 has two edges 250 which fit into the guides of bay 100, therebyallowing the carrier to be smoothly inserted and extracted from thecarrier. Lever 230 is rotatably coupled to a front portion of the baseby hinge 255. Lever 230 need not be coupled directly to the base, butshould be rotatable with respect to the base in order to allow a user toeasily insert and extract the carrier. Base 210 can be, for example, ametal plate, plastic, or a printed circuit board. Lever 230 ispreferably constructed from plastic, but can also be constructed from avariety of suitable materials including metal.

One end of lever 230 includes a deflectable locking tab 232 that isdeflectable in a direction along the length of the lever. Deflectablelocking tab 232 is flexible enough so that when the lever is pushedtoward the carrier, the locking tab can be deflected toward the oppositeend of the lever, thereby allowing the locking tab to be received byclip 240 as the locking tab deflects down and into clip opening 245.When locking tab 232 is engaged by clip 240, the lever is in a closedposition, and thus lever 230 and clip 240 form a handle by which carrier200 can be carried. When locking tab 232 is not engaged by clip 240,lever 230 it is said to be in an open position. Ribs 233 provide atextured surface for users to actuate the deflectable locking tab using,for example, a thumb. Those having ordinary skill in the art willreadily recognize that a variety of different selectively engageableschemes can be used allowing the lever to be opened and closed andproviding secure retainment. Lever 230 also includes a grip 234 with arecess 235. Recess 235 is sized to receive one or more fingers so that auser can readily grasp lever 230. Grip 234, recess 235, and locking tab232 are located so that opening and closing the lever can beaccomplished using one hand. For example, a user can open the lever bysliding their index finger into the recess and simultaneously usingtheir thumb to depress locking tab 232. Once the locking tab is releasedfrom clip 240, lever 230 can be pulled away from the carrier, rotatingabout hinge 255.

Lever 230 also includes engaging portion 236 having first and secondcamming surfaces 237 and 238. For insertion of carrier 200, lever 230 isrotated so that it is approximately parallel with carrier edge 250 andthe carrier is inserted into bay 100 along the carrier guides. Thecarrier moves into the bay until first camming surface 237 makes contactwith a camming edge located along the front of the peripheral devicebay. The camming edge can be a feature of the drive bay, a feature ofthe chassis in which the drive bay is mounted, or an edge 410 or 420 ofthe keying mechanism shown in FIG. 4. As the first camming surface 237comes into contact with the camming edge, carrier alignment featuressuch as alignment pin 280 and/or connectors (not shown) can engage orbegin to engage a printed circuit board located at the rear of theperipheral device bay. As lever 230 is rotated toward the carrier,second camming surface 238 engages the camming edge and acts to leverthe carrier into the bay. Insertion is complete when clip 240 engageslocking tab 232, thereby securing the lever between clip 240 and thecamming edge. Additionally, as the carrier is secured into the bay, anyconnection between the carrier and/or the device retained by the carrierand the printed circuit board at the rear of the bay is completed.

To remove carrier 200 from device bay 100, the lever is unlocked fromclip 240 by depressing deflectable locking tab 232 and pulling the leveraway from the carrier. First camming surface 237 engages the cammingedge, levering the carrier out of the bay. Alternatively, a thirdcamming surface 239 can engage a surface of the drive bay or chassis tolever the carrier out of the bay. Once the carrier is released from thebay and any connectors on the carrier are disconnected from the printedcircuit board at the rear of the bay, the carrier can be pulled out ofthe bay by lever 230. Whether during insertion or extraction, thecamming action of engagement portion 236 and the overall performance ofcarrier 200 is enhanced by the width of the engaging portion. Thosehaving ordinary skill in the art will readily recognize that engagingportion 236 can utilize a variety of different features to help securecarrier 200 into a bay including, for example, a hook or a single flatsurface. Additionally, the camming edge can take a variety of formsincluding a lip, a ledge, a rib, a protrusion, and even a surface.

Lever 230 also includes a cosmetic surface 270 upon which cosmeticfeatures, e.g. an embossed or molded logo, can be located. Clip 240 canbe a separate part coupled to base 210, and need not be integrallyformed from the base as shown in FIG. 2. Additionally, althoughperipheral device mounting features 220 are shown as lugs integrallyformed from the base and including through holes for fasteners, avariety of mounting features can be used, and the mounting features neednot be formed from the base. Carrier 200 can also be used to retain morethan one type of peripheral device. For example, FIG. 2 shows carrier200 retaining a one inch hard drive 260, but the same carrier can retaina 1.6 inch hard drive. A face plate or filler panel (not shown) can alsobe included with carrier 200 located, for example, along the width ofthe carrier, i.e. perpendicular to edge 250, between hard drive 260 andclip 240. Such a face plate or filler panel can serve as an additionalcosmetic surface or as a plate covering open spaces in the bay.

FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate another peripheral device carrier 300.Carrier 300 includes a base 310, a handle 315 coupled to the base,peripheral device mounting features 320, and a lever 330. Base 310 hastwo edges 350 which fit into the guides of bay 100, thereby allowing thecarrier to be smoothly inserted and extracted from the carrier. Lever330 is rotatably coupled to handle 315 through hinge 355 and isrotatable with respect to the base.

One end of lever 330 includes a deflectable locking tab 332 that isdeflectable in a direction along the length of the lever. Deflectablelocking tab 332 operates in a manner similar to deflectable locking tab232 and can be retained by a clip (not shown) in handle 315. Whenlocking tab 332 is engaged by the clip, the lever is in a closedposition, and when the locking tab is not engaged by the clip, the leveris said to be in an open position. Ribs 333 provide a textured surfacefor users to actuate the deflectable locking tab using, for example, athumb. Lever 330 also includes a grip 334 with a recess 335. Recess 335is sized to receive one or more fingers so that a user can readily grasplever 330. Grip 334, recess 335, and locking tab 332 are located so thatopening and closing the lever can be accomplished using one hand. Oncethe locking tab is released from the clip, lever 330 can be pulled awayfrom the carrier, rotating about hinge 355.

Lever 330 also includes an engaging portion 336 that allows carrier 300to engage and disengage a camming edge depending upon movement of lever330, and keeps the carrier secured in a peripheral device bay when thecarrier is fully inserted and the lever is place in its closed position.Cosmetic features can be located on cosmetic surface 370. Additionally,handle 315 includes light pipes 325 that extend from the front of thecarrier to the rear of the carrier. Light pipes 325 bring light fromhard disk drive 260 or from a printed circuit board located along therear of a peripheral device bay to the front of the carrier where it canmore easily be seen. For example, light pipes 325 can be positioned toreceive light from light emitting diodes (LEDs) mounted on hard drive260 or a printed circuit board. Such LEDs can indicate, for example,drive activity and device failure. Light pipes 325 are commonly formedfrom a clear plastic or glass. A face plate or filler panel (not shown)can also be included with carrier 300 attached, for example, to handle315. Such a face plate or filler panel can serve as an additionalcosmetic surface or as a plate covering open spaces in the bay.

Referring to FIG. 4, a keying mechanism 400 is shown that is used inconjunction with a device bay like device bay 100 to facilitateplacement of carriers in the proper carrier guides given the type ofdevice retained by the carriers. Keying mechanism 400 typically extendsalong a front edge of a peripheral device bay (See FIG. 5). Keyingmechanism 400 has a first edge 410 and a second edge 420. Edges 410 and420 are shown as parallel opposing edges, but need not be so. Forexample, keying mechanism 400 can have a shape similar to an angle ironor bracket wherein the first edge and the second edge are perpendicularto each other and meet at a common comer. Edge 410 includes guidingslots 415 spaced apart so that carriers can only be inserted in carrierguides the are aligned with the guiding slots. For example, guidingslots 415 are positioned to correspond to the carrier guides that areused when filling a peripheral device bay with the maximum number ofcarriers (here four) retaining 1.6 inch hard drives. Similarly, edge 420has guiding slots 425 positioned to correspond to the carrier guidesthat are used when filling the peripheral device bay with the maximumnumber of carriers (six) retaining one inch hard drives. Thus, aperipheral device mounting apparatus including a peripheral device bay100 and a keying mechanism 400 controls which configuration of drives isused.

Keying mechanism 400 includes mounting features such as mounting slots430 and mounting holes 440. These mounting features allow the keyingmechanism to be removably attached to a device bay or chassis so thatthe appropriate edge can be located (i.e. by changing the orientation ofthe keying mechanism) to guide peripheral device carriers into theperipheral device bay. Keying mechanism 400 can also include guidingtabs (not shown) to help position the keying mechanism with respect tothe chassis or drive bay before fasteners secure it to the chassis orbay. As previously noted, edges 410 and 420 can serve as camming edgesfor peripheral device carriers 200 and 300.

FIG. 5 shows a computer system 500 including chassis 510, door 520,peripheral device bay 100, peripheral device carrier 200, and keyingmechanism 400. Door 520 includes a key lock assembly 524 and attaches tochassis 510 via hinges 528. Examples of key lock assembly 524 and hinge510 are found in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/013,767 entitled"Combination Keylock Device and Securing Device," by Ty R. Schrnitt,filed on the same day as the present application, and incorporatedherein by reference.

Peripheral device bay 100 is shown attached to chassis 510. This can beaccomplished by, for example, riveting bay 100 to the chassis using baymounting brackets 110. Chassis 100 also includes guiding slots 530similar to the guiding slots 415 and 425 of keying mechanism 400.However, chassis 510 has guiding slots 530 that correspond to each ofthe carrier guides of bay 100, and not merely selected carrier guides,as is the case with guiding slots 415 and 425. Keying mechanism 400 islocated along the lower front edge of bay 400, but with edge 410obstructing carrier insertion into the bay except through guide slots415. Because keying mechanism 400 is oriented as shown, carriers canonly be inserted into carrier guides corresponding to the optimalinstallation of carriers retaining 1.6 inch hard drives. Carrier 200 isshown installed in bay 100 and retaining a 1.6 inch hard drive. Keyingmechanism 400 is shown attached to the chassis using hooks 540 that arereceived by mounting slots 430, however the keying mechanism can beattached to the chassis using a variety of different features including,for example, mounting holes 440.

Although the examples shown in FIGS. 1-5 illustrate peripheral devicesthat are hard disk drives, it will be apparent to those of ordinaryskill in the art that a variety of different peripheral devices can takeadvantage of the peripheral device bay, keying mechanism, and peripheraldevice carriers disclosed in this application. Additionally, otherdevices associated with computer system operation, for example removablepower supplies, may also benefit from the bay, keying mechanism, andcarriers described herein.

The description of the invention set forth herein is illustrative and isnot intended to limit the scope of the invention as set forth in thefollowing claims. Variations and modifications of the embodimentsdisclosed herein may be made based on the description set forth herein,without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as setforth in the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A computer system comprising:a processor; amemory coupled to the processor; a chassis supporting the processor andthe memory; and a peripheral device carrier coupled to the chassisincluding:a base; a lever rotatably coupled to the base, the leverincluding:a first end and a second end; a grip including a recesslocated between the first end and the second end, the recess sized toaccommodate a finger of a user, the grip facilitating movement of thelever by the user; a deflectable locking tab located at the first end;an engagement portion located at the second end; and a clip coupled tothe base, the clip receiving the deflectable locking tab of the lever ina closed position, the clip and the lever in the closed position forminga handle.
 2. The computer system of claim 1 further comprising aperipheral device coupled to the peripheral device carrier.
 3. Thecomputer system of claim 2 wherein the peripheral device is selectedfrom a one inch hard drive and a 1.6 inch hard drive.
 4. The computersystem of claim 3 further comprising a peripheral device bay coupled tothe chassis, the peripheral device carrier being coupled to the chassisthrough the peripheral device bay.
 5. The computer system of claim 4wherein the peripheral device bay includes a first and a second carrierguide and the base further includes a first edge and an opposing secondedge, the first and second edge being received by the first and secondcarrier guide, respectively.
 6. The computer system of claim 5 furthercomprising a camming edge extending along the peripheral device bay, theengagement portion of the lever engaging the camming edge when theperipheral device carrier is coupled to the chassis and the lever is inthe closed position.
 7. The computer system of claim 6 wherein thecamming edge is an edge of a keying mechanism, the keying mechanismcoupled to the chassis.
 8. The computer system of claim 1 wherein thedeflectable locking tab is located with respect to the grip in aposition where the user can insert the finger into the recess to deflectthe deflectable locking tab with a thumb of the user.
 9. The computersystem of claim 1 wherein the deflectable locking tab is deflectable ina direction toward the second end of the lever.
 10. The computer systemof claim 1 wherein the clip is integrally formed from the base.
 11. Thecomputer system of claim 1 wherein the lever includes a cosmeticsurface.
 12. A peripheral device carrier comprising:a base; a leverrotatably coupled to the base, the lever including:a first end and asecond end; a grip including a recess located between the first end andthe second end, the recess sized to accommodate a finger of a user, thegrip facilitating movement of the lever by the user; a deflectablelocking tab located at the first end; an engagement portion located atthe second end; and a clip coupled to the base, the clip receiving thedeflectable locking tab of the lever in a closed position, the clip andthe lever in the closed position forming a handle.
 13. The peripheraldevice carrier of claim 12 wherein the deflectable locking tab islocated with respect to the grip in a position where the user can insertthe finger into the recess to deflect the deflectable locking tab with athumb of the user.
 14. The peripheral device carrier of claim 12 whereinthe deflectable locking tab is deflectable in a direction toward thesecond end of the lever.
 15. The peripheral device carrier of claim 12wherein the clip is integrally formed from the base.
 16. The peripheraldevice carrier of claim 12 further comprising a peripheral devicemounting feature coupled to the base.
 17. The peripheral device carrierof claim 16 wherein the peripheral device mounting feature is a lugincluding a through hole.
 18. The peripheral device carrier of claim 12wherein the base further comprises a first edge and an opposing secondedge.
 19. The peripheral device carrier of claim 12 wherein the leverincludes a cosmetic surface.